Honest Comparison
SHAMS vs IFZA: Which Free Zone Costs Less in 2026
Choose SHAMS if you want the lowest entry cost and a media, creative or small-trading licence outside Dubai, from roughly AED 5,900 licence-only. Choose IFZA if a Dubai address and Dubai-side banking matter more than price, from roughly AED 12,500.
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) and IFZA (International Free Zone Authority, Dubai) are both popular with freelancers, consultants and small traders, but they sit in different emirates and at different price points — so the honest answer depends on what you are optimising for.
The gap is roughly double. A SHAMS licence-only package runs about AED 5,900–7,000, while an IFZA licence-only package starts at AED 12,500–14,000 because it carries a Dubai address. Add one investor visa and SHAMS all-in is about AED 11,500–13,500 against IFZA's AED 16,000–18,500.
Neither is simply 'better'. SHAMS wins on cost and on media and creative activities; IFZA wins on Dubai branding, Dubai-side banking proximity and a broad activity list. This page sets the two side by side so you can decide on facts rather than on a 'from AED X' banner.
| Factor | SHAMS (Sharjah) | IFZA (Dubai) |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah (Northern Emirates) | Dubai |
| Licence only (no visa) | AED 5,900 – 7,000 | AED 12,500 – 14,000 |
| Licence + one investor visa (all-in) | AED 11,500 – 13,500 | AED 16,000 – 18,500 |
| Best-fit activities | Media, creative, small trading | Broad trading, services, consulting |
| Address on licence | Sharjah free zone | Dubai free zone |
| Emirates ID (2-year visa) | AED 286 | AED 286 |
| Banking proximity | Workable, Sharjah/Dubai banks | Dubai address eases some banks |
| Branding/perception | Strong for creatives | Premium Dubai signalling |
| Who it suits | Budget-first founders | Dubai-presence-first founders |
Choose SHAMS if...
Choose SHAMS if cost is your first filter and your work is media, creative, content, consulting or small-scale trading. A licence-only package sits at roughly AED 5,900–7,000, and licence plus one investor visa all-in is about AED 11,500–13,500 — close to half the IFZA equivalent of AED 12,500–14,000 licence-only and AED 16,000–18,500 all-in. That saving is real money for a first-year startup or a solo founder who would rather put capital into the business than into a Dubai address. SHAMS also carries genuine credibility with creative and media clients. If you do not specifically need a Dubai-issued licence, SHAMS gives you a legitimate UAE company and residence route at the Northern Emirates entry price.
Choose IFZA if...
Choose IFZA if a Dubai address on your trade licence matters to your clients, your banking plan or your own positioning. IFZA starts at AED 12,500–14,000 licence-only and AED 16,000–18,500 all-in with one investor visa — roughly double SHAMS — but what you buy is Dubai itself. Some banks and some corporate clients simply respond better to a Dubai-registered entity, and IFZA offers a broad activity list that suits trading and service companies wanting room to expand. If your customers are Dubai-based, or you plan to lease Dubai office space later, starting in Dubai avoids a future migration. You pay more; you buy location.
The cost difference, in plain numbers
The honest headline is simple: around AED 5,750 is the UAE entry point, reachable only outside Dubai; AED 12,500 is the Dubai entry point. SHAMS licence-only is AED 5,900–7,000; IFZA licence-only is AED 12,500–14,000. All-in with one investor visa, SHAMS is AED 11,500–13,500 and IFZA is AED 16,000–18,500. Both all-in figures include the establishment card, investor visa, medical, Emirates ID (AED 286 on a 2-year visa) and basic insurance. Government and authority fees are set by the authority and can change without notice, and a professional service fee sits on top — DBM always states the two separately.
Switching, visas and edge cases
You are not locked in forever, but switching emirates later means a new licence, new establishment card and a visa transfer — so it is cheaper to pick correctly now than to migrate. On visas, both zones issue investor and employee visas; the all-in figures above cover one investor visa, and extra visas are quoted separately by package. If you only need an online or e-commerce licence with no visa yet, an Ajman e-commerce licence at AED 4,880 undercuts both — worth knowing before you commit. And if your activity needs a physical shop, warehouse or food premises, neither of these packages fits; ask for a quote against the right activity instead.
The Verdict
For most budget-conscious founders in media, creative, consulting or light trading, SHAMS is the smarter start at roughly AED 5,900 licence-only or AED 11,500–13,500 all-in with one visa. Pay the IFZA premium — from AED 12,500 licence-only, AED 16,000+ all-in — only when a Dubai address genuinely serves your clients or banking. Not sure which your activity and clients call for? Book a free consultation with DBM and we will quote both, with government fees and our service fee stated separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SHAMS cheaper than IFZA?
Yes — SHAMS is roughly half the price of IFZA. A SHAMS licence-only package is about AED 5,900–7,000 versus IFZA's AED 12,500–14,000, and all-in with one investor visa SHAMS is AED 11,500–13,500 against IFZA's AED 16,000–18,500. The difference reflects Sharjah versus a Dubai address.
Can I get a Dubai address with SHAMS?
No — SHAMS is a Sharjah free zone, so your trade licence carries a Sharjah address. If a Dubai-registered entity matters for your clients or banking, IFZA (from AED 12,500 licence-only) is the Dubai option. SHAMS companies still operate across the UAE, but the licence address is Sharjah.
Which is better for a media or creative business?
SHAMS is purpose-built for media, creative and content activities and carries strong credibility there, at a lower cost of about AED 5,900–7,000 licence-only. IFZA can also licence many service activities but charges a Dubai premium. For a creative founder watching budget, SHAMS is usually the better fit.
Does the SHAMS or IFZA price include a visa?
The licence-only prices do not include a visa — SHAMS AED 5,900–7,000 and IFZA AED 12,500–14,000 are licence only. The all-in packages do: SHAMS AED 11,500–13,500 and IFZA AED 16,000–18,500 cover one investor visa, establishment card, medical, Emirates ID (AED 286 on a 2-year visa) and basic insurance.
Can I move from SHAMS to IFZA later?
Yes, but it means issuing a new licence, a new establishment card and transferring your visa, so it costs more than choosing correctly at the start. If there is any chance you will need a Dubai address soon, it is usually cheaper to start with IFZA than to migrate later. DBM can advise on the cleanest route.
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